Franco “dgt” Garcia Makes a High-Profile Return to 9z Team After Short Stint at paiN

Franco “dgt” Garcia Makes a High-Profile Return to 9z Team After Short Stint at paiN

Virtually nine months after departing one of South America’s most successful Counter-Strike rosters, Uruguayan rifler Franco “dgt” Garcia has officially returned to 9z Team. The club confirmed the move on January 16, completing its roster ahead of their first event of the 2026 season, BetBoom Circuit X Redemption Curitiba. 

Dgt had been one of the cornerstones of 9z since joining the organization in mid-2019, rapidly becoming one of the region’s most consistent performers. Across more than five years with the team, he posted a strong 1.17 HLTV rating and helped the squad grow from a regional contender into a regular presence at international events. 

A Short and Challenging Spell at paiN

In May 2025, after nearly half a decade with 9z, dgt opted for a change and signed with paiN Gaming, one of Brazil’s most recognizable esports organizations, in a move that generated significant interest in the Latin American CS2 scene. At the time, paiN touted the acquisition as a major step toward becoming a stronger international competitor. 

However, things did not go as planned. During his time at paiN, dgt struggled to adapt to the team’s system and posted what HLTV described as a career-low 1.03 rating in 2025. Later that year, amid disappointing results, paiN moved him — along with teammate David “dav1deuS” Tapia — to the bench. 

That benching appeared to herald the end of his tenure with the Brazilian squad, and indeed, less than a year after the initial transfer he found himself on the move again — this time back to familiar territory. 

9z Rebuilds Its Roster With dgt Back in the Fold

The returning dgt slot replaces Luca “Luken” Nadotti, who has departed 9z to join Gaimin Gladiators in another transfer marked on HLTV’s January 2026 movements board. 

9z’s updated lineup now looks like this:

• Maximiliano “max” Gonzalez — Rifle

• Franco “dgt” Garcia — Rifle

• Ignacio “meyern” Meyer — Rifle

• Luciano “luchov” Herrera — Support

• Matias “HUASOPEEK” Ibañez Hernandez — Lurker

• Bruno “BIT” Fukuda Lima — Coach

The team announced the roster ahead of their BetBoom Circuit X Redemption Curitiba 2026 campaign — a Tier-2 LAN event held in Brazil that represents 9z’s first competitive showing of the year. 

Career and Legacy of dgt

Franco “dgt” Manuel Garcia Cabrera, born May 12, 2001, is a 24-year-old Uruguayan professional Counter-Strike player known for his rifling prowess and tactical versatility. Prior to his first long stint with 9z, he competed for teams such as Furious Gaming and Sinisters eSports early in his career. His breakthrough, however, came with 9z, where he was integral both domestically and internationally. 

Dgt’s time with 9z included multiple appearances at CS2 Majors and international events — culminating in notable runs including a semi-final appearance at IEM Dallas 2024 and a victory at the FiReLEAGUE Global Final. 

By most statistical measures, dgt remains one of the most decorated Uruguayan talents in Counter-Strike history. According to Esports Earnings, he has accumulated over $128,000 in prize money from more than 70 international events — a testament to his longevity and peak competitive performance. 

What This Move Means for 9z and the South American CS2 Scene

9z’s re-addition of dgt is being watched closely across the global CS2 community. Back with the organization that defined much of his career, he enters a lineup that balances regional promise with international aspirations. Fans and analysts will be particularly interested to see whether the move restores his earlier form — which had him rated among the top performers in South America — or whether his struggles at paiN indicate a deeper adjustment period is still required.

Moreover, Latin American Counter-Strike has seen increasing competitiveness in recent years. Teams like 9z have pushed into more international events, putting pressure on traditional region powerhouses such as FURIA and MIBR. Dgt’s return could well signal 9z’s intent to reclaim their position at the forefront of that surge.

In summary, dgt’s return to 9z is both a nostalgic and strategic move — reuniting the Uruguayan star with the organization where he built his reputation, while setting the stage for a new chapter that could redefine not just his career, but 9z’s competitive landscape in 2026.